Splendour: The Philippe Missillier Collection of Islamic & Indian Arms and Armour

A Rare Enamelled Sword, signed by Muhammad Mashhadi, India, Lucknow, circa 1750

Restricted SpeciesUK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Auction Closed

April 29, 12:32 PM GMT

Estimate

30,000 - 50,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

the curved watered steel blade with false edge and gold inlay at the forte on both sides and the spine, set into a silver hilt richly decorated with polychrome opaque and translucent enamel in a variety of floral motifs, mounted with two carved walrus ivory grips, each attached using two rivets, the leather-covered wooden scabbard with en-suite enamelled silver mounts and gold metal-thread belt with five en-suite enamelled silver belt mounts.

94cm.

This lot contains walrus ivory, which is an endangered species. Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid, as lots containing endangered species may be subject to import restrictions in certain countries or necessitate licenses and certificates for export from some and import into others. The possession of an export license or certificate does not guarantee obtaining its counterpart elsewhere. Buyers must ascertain and adhere to all applicable regulatory requirements regarding the import and export of such items before bidding, securing all necessary licenses and certificates at their expense. The inability to export or import these items, or their seizure by a government agency, does not justify delaying payment or cancelling a sale.

Philippe Missillier Collection no.158C

H. Ricketts and P. Missillier, Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris: Acte-Expo, 1988, p.135, no.227

inscriptions

In cartouches:

huwwa allah al-ghalib

‘He is God the Victorious’

‘amal-i muhammad mashhadi

‘work of Muhammad Mashhadi’

Against a floral ground:

‘On the day I have no one to help me, Ali will help me’

On the spine:

‘There is no hero like ‘Ali, no sword like Dhu’l-Faqar’

The swordsmith Muhammad Mashhadi may be identified with Muhammad Baqir Mashhadi, who signed a number of blades for the Nawab of Awadh, Safdar Jang (r.1739-54). Several swords with Muhammad Baqir Mashhadi’s signature and dated inscriptions indicating they were made for Safdar Jang survive. One in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York is inscribed ‘Safdar Jang Bahadur 1162 (1748-49 AD)’ and signed ‘work of Baqir Mashhadi’ (inv. no.36.25.1304a, b; David G. Alexander, Islamic Arms and Armour in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2015, pp.192-3). Another in the Furusiyya Art Foundation is inscribed ‘Safdar Jang Bahadur 1163’ (1749-50 AD)’ and signed ‘work of Baqir Mashhadi’ (inv. no.R-199; Bashir Mohamed, The Arts of the Muslim Knight, Milan: Skira, 2007, p.85, no.49).

Two further swords in the Khalili Collection are inscribed ‘work of Muhammad Baqir Mashhadi’ and ‘work of Muhammad Baqir Mashhadi; Safdar Jang Bahadur 1163’ (1749-50 AD) respectively (inv. nos.MTW 1137 and MTW 1138, David Alexander, The Arts of War: Arms and Armour of the 7th to 19th centuries, London: Azimuth Editions, 1992, pp.139-41, nos.81, 82).

Other work of Muhammad Baqir Mashhadi includes a number of straight bladed swords and daggers (kards) bearing his signature (Bernd Augustin, ‘Persische Blumen erbluhen in Indien: Das Werk des Muhammad Baqir Maschhadi’, Indo-Asiatische Zeitschrift 13, 2009, pp.99-121). See the discussion with lot 84 in this catalogue.

The green and blue enamels of the fittings on the hilt and scabbard are characteristic of Lucknow sword fittings.